SheJumps, a nonprofit group focused to expanding women’s participation in outdoor activities, is giving scholarships to help women of color get on the slopes this winter, with chances available at Utah resorts.
The Snowpack Ikon Pass Scholarship Program, a collaboration between Sturtevant’s/Christy Sports and Ikon, attempts to address the underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women in outdoor sports.
Thirty Ikon Passes will be distributed during the 2024-25 winter season. The scholarship includes a season pass, ski or snowboard rentals, and a half-day instruction at certain Ikon Pass mountains, such as Deer Valley Resort and Solitude.
Self-identifying cisgender and transgender women of color, as well as non-binary persons of color aged 18 and above, are eligible applicants. The program prioritizes financial necessity and accepts applicants with all skill levels, including beginners.
Utah residents can benefit from season-long equipment rentals at Christy Sports outlets throughout the state. For individuals who are not close to a Christy Sports location, Ski Butlers offers one-day rentals at various Ikon Pass destinations.
SheJumps, which began in 2007, has seen prior scholarship recipients become ski instructors and lifelong enthusiasts. The organization sees this program as a step toward making mountain sports more inclusive in Utah and elsewhere.
Applications for the scholarship close on September 30 at midnight MT. Interested individuals can apply here or through the SheJumps website.